"God Has His Eyes Closed Because He Is Watching Over Us..."

Yesterday was of course Ash Wednesday. I didn't want to go to service early in the morning and then go to work with Ashes on my head...feeling it may be some sort of disrespectful to the church I work at (different religions...mine being Catholic, my job being Presbyterian) since they don't practice putting the ashes on your forehead. So my mom, sister & I decided that we would go to the 5:00 p.m. service. So I was busy at work trying to make sure they had all their bulletins and such ready for their service that night. I picked up Jacob from school and waited at church for my mom and sister. I took Jacob a couple of this Thomas books to keep him quite since an hour is a long time for that boy to be quite...especially just coming out of school. My family got there and then mass started. Madelyn started to get fussy so my sister took her to the cry room in the back. During the service Jacob just stared & stared at the big cross with Jesus up front. He has seen it many times before but today he just couldn't stop looking at it. He has this thing with hair & eyes...ever since he was a baby he has had to play with my hair to go to sleep and just loves touching mine or others hair...my mom just says its his security...instead of a security blanket...he likes to feel my hair...and he also has this thing with eyes...he always has to see your eyes & if something doesn't have eyes its always the first thing he asks..."Why doesn't that have eyes?" So he was staring at the Jesus asking my mom why didn't he have eyes and my mom told him he did they were just closed and of course he asked if Jesus could open them so he could see him and my mom said no he has them closed so he can watch over everyone. After we received our ashes he wanted to get a better look. So we went closer to show him he did have eyes & he just kept repeating, "Tell him to open his eyes so he can watch over me." It melted my heart to hear my 3 year old tell Jesus to open his eyes so He could watch over him. We went back to my moms and my sister came over (she had left church because Madelyn was having a fit b/c she hadn't taken a nap all day) and my sister asked Jacob how was church and he said it was good and that he saw Jesus but his eyes were closed...and my sister asked him why his eyes were closed and Jacob told her. "God has his eyes closed because he is watching over us because he died for us because he loves us." I was so amazed that he knew all of that. I am sure he doesn't truly understand it all but he was so proud and sure of his answer. I am so proud of my little man!! He really is growing up...scary to think in exactly 3 months (May 26) he will be 4 years old and moving up to the Pre-K class & wearing a uniform!!

2 more weeks from today and Jacob Ryan will start t-ball...we are all so excited!! He loves to play so I hope he will do well with the rest of his team. We are still having to make him hit if off the t stand...he wants you to throw it to him so in his words he can "Smack that ball!!" He's so funny!

Take Me Home...Rrrriiiigggghhhhtttt Now!

Well this past weekend sure was a BUSY one...we were running around everywhere!! The weekend just seemed to fly right on by. I was off on Friday since I was still sick & my Pastor told me to take the day...well really half day off & get better. Jacob & I slept in for once & I dropped him off at school (a little late) then it was off to my sisters. Elis, Madelyn & I were off to our errands about 10:00 a.m. First we went to Babies R Us for Madelyn's diapers & wipes ( I sure don't miss buying those) and we found her a onesie that is pink & hot pink for her 1st birthday photo shoot then we were off to the mall so I could get some new make up, and we went and exchanged something at Gap for Jacob & I got Madelyn some new pink shoes...so cute, and then looked for a birthday dress for Madelyn at Gymboree. We found one but since it was our first stop we decided to keep looking in case we found one some where else. By then we were all hungry & of course we went to Pei Wei...my favorite!! Man am I happy they opened one in Pearland...which I have yet to go to :(...the one at Baybrook is just the same so at least I got to go. After lunch we went to Carter's, Party City (were I found Jacob a conductor hat for when we take our Thomas the Train trip in April), and Imagination Toys & Shoes. We then decided we were going to go order Madelyn's Birthday Cake...a month early but we don't play around & wait last minute...I am a planner & like to make sure everything is taken care of & of course were we ordered her cake is seriously the best...& we wanted to buy a little cake to take home & munch on & while we were there I was tempted with Chocolate covered strawberries, so Elis bought me two...I don't think we were out of the parking lot & I had already eat them...I couldn't help it...they are my weakness!! So then off we were to Hobby Lobby to get matching tulle for Madelyn's birthday onesie...I love to make them for my Grassy!! By the time we got out of Hobby Lobby it was 4:00 p.m. & I couldn't believe were time went! We picked up Jacob from school & went back to Elis' & waited for my mom to come over. Everyone came over & we ordered pizza & played Rock Band...we had a lot of fun. We went home around 8:30 p.m. and watched a little t.v. with Ruben & everyone crashed out soon after.

Well Saturday it was up early & back on the move. Ruben stayed at home and finished home work & my mom & Elis came and picked us up and it was off to the invitation & stationary store so we could find Madelyn's invitations. They didn't have exactly what we were looking for but we did find some really cute ones that matched all the colors of her party so we were thankful for that. & of course I found Jacob's invitations too...even though its not until May, I know it early but using my mom's excuse..."We came all the way over here & you might as well get them since we are here"...so that's what I told Ruben...haha. Next we decided to go to Harwin to see if one of their dress shops would have a birthday dress for Madelyn. We went to 3 different stores & found 1 dress but it wasn't the right size. So we drove back to Pearland & went to find a pinata...we went to this place my mom had seen the one that would match her party & they had to order it since they sold the one my mom had seen...so I think that kinda made my sister nervous but what can you do. We went and had lunch at the new Gringo's and then went to Gymboree to get the original dress we had seen cause we were tired of looking! It was raining & cold & we had 2 sick kids with us so it was time to call it a day & go home!! Jacob & I took a much needed late nap when we got home. I went & picked up a couple of groceries & we had a night in. Jacob went to sleep about 8:30 which was surprising since he had taken the late nap.

Sunday I though would be a quite day of cleaning...we woke up, had breakfast & I then attacked Ruben & my closet. I took out EVERY thing I don't wear any more...& I mean everything!! As the pile of clothes pilled higher & higher I couldn't believe how much stuff I had. We are having a garage sale this weekend or next depending on the weather. I had taken Jacobs clothes out the week before & filled up 5 garbage bags of clothes that don't fit him...that's unreal...that boy had to much clothes & he still does. I'm have a hard time taking stuff out because I want to keep it or the shirt or whatever has a meaning to it but there was just no point keeping all of it & all the clothes still looks new cause he didn't wear it that many times. I can only imagine how much my sister will take out of Madelyn's clothes cause she had tons & tons of stuff & she just seemed to keep out growing stuff so all her stuff is new too!! So I was cleaning & Ruben's mom asked if we wanted to go to the Town Center with Ruben's Grandma, Aunt, and cousins. I never turn a trip to the mall down so there went my day of cleaning. We got ready & went to the mall. 2 hours later Jacob was tired & hungry...I think everyone was. We went to Texas Roadhouse...Ruben's mom & I were excited they opened one in Pearland so we had to go there. It was so good!! On the way home Jacob feel asleep & Ruben & I watched a movie.

We went every and any place this weekend & I'm still tired!! I love spending time with my family & its so exciting that we were shopping for Madelyn's 1st Birthday party...I love that little girl & thank God she is part of our family...1 more month & she will be 1 year old (March 21)...it really is crazy how time just flys. The blog was as long as my weekend...but I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Yucky, Yucky Cough

Well we thought we had been lucky that Jacob hasn't gotten sick yet but now he has started this very nasty cough. Hes had a little cough for a few days but he was acting fine so we didn't think to much about it. Well Sunday he started the nasty cough so we went out & bough a humidifier and some cough syrup to see if that would help. He didn't cough at all on Sunday night so we thought he was going to be fine. Well Monday night his cough got a little worse so we thought we would try the humidifier again and see what happened & again he didn't cough. Well last night, Tuesday night, we were up pretty much all night giving him water, medicine, Vick's, any thing that would help him sleep. Ruben had enough and said we better get him to the Dr. TODAY!! So I called first thing this morning & the earliest time they had for today is at 3:00 p.m...my poor Jakey has to wait all day! So he went to school this morning & said he felt fine even though I know he was a little tired. I let his teacher know he would be leaving for a Dr. appointment & she said almost all the kids in his class have the cold. I hate this time of year & I hate for Jacob to be sick...makes me sad. So I am hoping the Dr. will give him some medicine that will take away his cough fast!!

"Let All That You Do Be Done In Love." - 1 Corinthians 16:14

Valentine's Day is just a few days away & I am so excited...it's nice there is a whole day that you can let your loved ones know how special they are to you. We aren't going to much this Valentine's day...Ruben has a major test to study for on Monday so we just plan on the 3 of us to go out for breakfast & spend the day together & with our families...it's Madelyn's 1st Valentine's day too which makes it just a little bit more special. We have her gift all ready to go!

Today is Jacob Ryan's Valentine's party & Sweetheart dance at school. I am so excited...I'm trying to kill time until it is time to leave. I never miss a school party...they are so much fun! My mom went to all mine & I plan to do the same for Jacob. We were signed up for drinks so we took those to school this morning along with his Valentine's for his friends and special goody bags I made for his whole class. I make them for every holiday, Ruben says I over do it but I just can't help it!

Well off to the party & dance...they are going to be so cute!! May everyone have a Happy Valentine's Day blessed with lots of love!!

It's been so long & a little Fireproof

As you can see it has been since November that I have written. At first I was so excited about starting this but then soon forgot about it. Well it's time to start again!!

I know many of you have by now heard about the movie, Fireproof, or the book, The Love Dare...well I too had heard about it & at first I thought it would be great to see but didn't know how I was going to run it by Ruben. I bought it on Tuesday, the day it came out & was just going to hold onto it until I thought the time was right to ask him to watch it with me. He's not the type that likes to watch movies about faith & that sort of thing. He has his beliefs but doesn't like to really talk about it. We don't get to spend as much time together as we would like since we both work, he has night classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and just the every day errands and doing things with Jacob Ryan our weeks just seem to fly right by us. On Friday we try to have movie night but with his homework being so time consuming he often watches the movie with me while he does his homework. So I though I will just tell him it's a love story & see if he catches on & pays attention. Well this past Friday, February 6, one of Jacob's favorite movies came out...Madagascar 2...& he knew so we just had to get it. I picked Jacob up from school & we met Ruben for dinner...Jacob was so surprised to see his Daddy waiting for him at the restaurant, since he didn't know he was going to be there. After dinner we stopped at Blockbuster to buy Madagascar 2 for Jakey. He was so happy...he loves that movie! We went home & watched his movie & then got him ready for bed. With Jacob asleep I asked Ruben if he would watch a movie with me. He said yes but also said he would have some homework to do as well. The usual...no big deal. He asked what the name was & what it was about & I just told him to watch if he could. As we watched I would see him glance from time to time...then his glances turned to stares...then it turned to dropping his homework & completely watching the movie with me!! I couldn't believe it!! The movie is a low budget film & sometimes the acting is the best but the message is AMAZING!! I won't say what its about but I recommend this movie for anyone who is married, in a relationship, or even just looking for the right direction. I believe in God & teach Jacob about Him & we pray every night & try to make it to church as much as possible but just watching that movie made me realize there is so much more...He is so much more. We need GOD in everything we do especially relationships. The thing that really amazed me was that Ruben loved the movie & thought we should watch it again. It really reached out to him. I ordered the book, The Love Dare, and we plan to start the 40 day challenge on Valentine's Day! Ever since we have watched that movie we have realized that we need to take time for ourselves everyday....in just these 5 days since we have seen the movie I see a big difference in our relationship & I am so thankful for that. Everyone should definitely watch it!!